ABSTRACT
This article reviews the literature on leadership: types of leadership (transformational, transactional, laissez-faire, etc.), and actions that define effective leadership. Since no leadership can occur in a vacuum, this review includes how to respect and treat followers, i.e., those under the supervision of the leader. First, truly effective leaders put the core interests of their organization ahead of any personal goals. While much of the vast body of research has its roots in industry and government, most of the principles carry over to the academic world. Therefore, this article adapts those principles to academia. However, while a nonacademic setting may function with more of a vertical leadership pattern, a unique feature of the academic world is its horizontal leadership structure, wherein full professors tend to be the governing body, and peer review and its referents dominate. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, until recently there have been very few studies on the roles of women as leaders. A section on the specific characteristics of leadership by women is included. Though few in number, and though leadership is still more difficult for women than for men, most women display transformational leadership patterns.
